A leading trade unionist has warned the Labour leadership against viewing unions as "the enemy within".

The comments come as the prime minister and his Cabinet prepare for a tough week at Labour's conference in Bournemouth.

Tony Woodley, the incoming general secretary of the TGWU, said trade unions will seek to focus on "bread and butter" issues during this week's conference.

In an interview for GMTV's Sunday Programme, Woodley warned ministers that they face a tough week unless they listen to grassroots' opinion.

The left-winger, who is set to succeed Sir Bill Morris, warned that the government "has never been more unpopular than today".

And he said that "no-one will support" policies such as university top-up fees and foundation hospitals.

"I'm not the enemy within, and my union certainly isn't the enemy within. We've supported them, and will continue to support them under my leadership," Woodley said.

"Breaking the link with our party, the Labour Party - it will never happen whilst I'm the leader of the Transport and General Workers' Union."

Whilst unions are standing by the party, they are set to use this week's conference to press for a fundamental rethink on key planks of policy.

"We've got major problems out there with a government that, quite frankly, has never been more unpopular than today," said Woodley.

"I just hope now that Mr Blair himself understands that we've all got difficulties presently, and what you don't do, you don't bring in unpopular policies like top-up fees, that nobody wants, or the privatisation of the health service that no-one will support, and expect people in two years time to vote for you."

Stepping back from his call for Tony Blair's resignation, Woodley said policy would be more important than personalities this week.

"It's not a case of who the prime minister is, it's a case of the policies that the government themselves will follow," he said.

"Because at the end of the day, it's not just Mr Blair that's pushing forward policies on privatisation and other things.

"Of course, Mr Brown and the government overall, the Cabinet, are supporting it - so it's not about the prime minister."